We are committed to infusing the curriculum with the latest trending topics and emerging media. By incorporating insights from industry experts, we ensure our students are prepared for the ever-evolving landscape of journalism and mass communications—check out our latest special topics and pop-up courses.
Spring 2027
Pop-up Classes
Pop-up classes are short, one-credit-hour courses designed to allow students to dive into emerging industry trends and gain skills to prepare them for future careers. Pop-up classes are open to all UNL students and are Pass/No Pass.
JOMC 492/892.791 | 1 CREDIT | P/NP
Branding Yourself in Today's Market
ONLINE | 1/11-1/29
This online asynchronous pop-up course will explore strategies in better understanding how to brand yourself in today's ever-changing market. One of the best ways to articulate your skills, experience, knowledge, and overall worth in today’s competitive job market is to create a personal brand that helps you stand out in the crowd. Learn how to formulate your own value proposition and convey your knowledge, skills, and abilities to prospective employers. This course will leverage relevant social media platforms and other online portfolio tools to help you reframe how you approach your personal brand.
Faculty: Frauke Hachtmann
JOMC 492/892.952 | 1 CREDIT | P/NP
Hudl Sports Tech Creative Campaign
In Person | 1/22-2/5 | F 4-7:30 p.m. & S 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
The world of sports technology moves fast and requires innovative thinking and creative problem solving. In this class, you'll first learn how to identify what problem needs to be solved and then how to generate a "big idea". After covering some "how to's" and best practices around creative concepting, we'll work on a real-world problem that Hudl might face where you can apply what you've learned. We'll cover all the basics as part of the "creative process". Problem identification. Project brief. Key Insights. Creative Strategy. Then it's up to you and your team to pull it all together in one week before your final pitch in front of a panel of Hudl judges.
Faculty: Trevor Meyer
JOMC 292.791 | 1 CREDIT | P/NP
The Super Bowl of Advertising
online | 1/25-2/21
In this class, we will take a look at the history of Super Bowl advertising, examine the game-changing ads that became part of the cultural zeitgeist, and discuss many of the hits, misses and buzz-generating campaigns throughout the years. Because the class takes place during Super Bowl LX, we’ll also stay on top of the industry hype leading up to the game, do a post-game analysis of the winners and losers, and try to answer the question, “Is it really worth $8 million for just 30-seconds or is it nothing more than a flex on the part of clients and agencies with big budgets and even bigger egos?”
Faculty: Brian Hubbard
JOUR 348.951 | 1 credit | p/np
Real World I
IN PERSON | W 5:30-8:20 | 2/3-3/3
This course offers an inside look at the news reporting business as students engage in a news-gathering project led by working journalists at the Omaha World-Herald. Thanks to a partnership between the Omaha World-Herald and the CoJMC, the news organization’s editors, reporters and photographers will share their expertise and perspectives about a timely and relevant topic of the editorial team’s choice. This course is also an opportunity for students to apply knowledge and practice skills they are learning concurrently in JOUR 200B, Fundamentals of Editing & Reporting II. The Spring 2027 project will focus on the midterm elections.
Faculty: Leslie Klein
JOMC 392.792 | 1 credit | P/np
Sports Crisis Case Studies
online | 2/8-3/12
From Callaway to FIFA to the NBA, there is plenty of controversy in sport. Deconstruct famous sport crisis case studies and learn crisis communication practices to prevent and overcome crisis situations.
Faculty: Betsy Emmons
JOMC 292.792 | 1 CREDIT | P/NP
Travel Writing
online | 3/1-4/2
Have you ever wanted to travel for a living? What if you could do it for free? Learn how to pitch, write and publish travel stories to print and online publications, plus the ins and outs of working with tourism bureaus and PR companies to schedule FAM trips. Course will include instruction on both writing and networking within the industry.
Faculty: Nora Tarte
JOMC 392.791 | 1 CREDIT | P/NP
The “Reel” Deal-Instagram for Storytelling
online | 3/22-4/23
1 billion people use Instagram across the globe each and every month, spending an average of 30 minutes per day. 500 million people use Instagram stories every day and nearly 50% of people have visited a website to make a purchase after seeing a product or service. In the U.S., 26% of people aged 18 to 24 have recently used Instagram specifically to access coronavirus news. The platform provides countless opportunities for brands, businesses and organizations, from non-profits and for profits to large news organizations to tell stories and connect a message with a consumer. In this course, students will take a deep dive into the Instagram platform researching best practices, ethics and learning the ins and out of how to create and measure content. Students will learn and create content for the grid, stories, IGTV, reels, Instagram live and eCommerce to best leverage the platform to accomplish strategic communication goals.
Faculty: Tyler Thomas
JOMC 292.951 | 1 credit | p/np
Studio & Flash Lighting for Beginners
in person | 3/30-4/27 | T 5:30-8:20 p.m.
Master the art of studio lighting and flash photography through hands-on instruction in lighting setups, light modifiers, off-camera flash, and studio hot lights for both portrait and product photography. Build a professional portfolio of stunning portrait and product images while gaining the practical skills photographers need to shoot with confidence in any studio setting.
Faculty: Shoun Hill
Special Topics Classes
Special topic classes are new or emerging classes offered for three credit hours during a regular academic session - fall, spring or summer semesters.
ADPR 191.001 | 3 CREDITS
All Too Well Marketed: Taylor Swift’s Branding Game
IN PERSON | T 5:30-8:20 p.m.
This course uses Taylor Swift's career as a masterclass in integrated marketing communications, examining how she has built brand loyalty, mastered digital and traditional media, and created one of the most engaged fan communities in modern history. Through analysis of her campaigns, social media strategies, and public relations responses, students gain practical frameworks for brand building, experiential marketing, and strategic communication that apply across industries.
Faculty: Kelli Britten
SPMC 391.001 | 3 CREDITS
Mega-Sporting Events and the Media
In person | TR 9:30-10:45 a.m.
This course examines the intricate relationship between global media and mega sporting events, such as the Olympics and the FIFA World Cup, focusing on publicity, marketing, and the strategic communication involved in their production.
Faculty: Kelsey Slater
JOMC 491/891.700 | 3 credits
Severe Weather, Media and You
online
Looking outside your Nebraska residence, you could see sunny skies, torrential rain, heaps of snow or trash cans flying around the neighborhood. Weather conditions change rapidly, and weather forecasters are often challenged by trying to reach different audiences, along with what to say when they do. How can you become a storm chaser? What do emergency managers do? This class will provide the basics of media performance and weather forecasting. It will be especially relevant for weather enthusiasts or those with an interest in broadcast meteorology.
Faculty: Cory Armstrong
APDR 491/891.791 | 3 Credits
Data Analysis & Consumer Insight
online | 10/27-12/19
This course takes a hands-on, user-friendly approach to data analysis and consumer insights, designed for students with little or no prior statistics background. Students learn how to work with real-world media and audience data, interpret results, and translate findings into clear, strategic insights and recommendations for campaigns, brands, and organizations.
Faculty: Changmin Yan
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